Responsible Rudy

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani has a new Web site, which features a video of him making the case for his presidential bid and, as has become his hallmark, focusing largely on “leadership.”

“When I was mayor, there was a sign on my desk,” Giuliani says. “It read: ‘I’m responsible.’ That’s the kind of common-sense accountability we need today. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington, and that’s why I’m running for president.”

(Snip)

“This is a time for leadership. Terrorists are at war with us around the world. At home, we face the generational challenges of making our country energy independent, fiscally disciplined and building an education system so we compete and win in the 21st century. We need strong leadership that is not afraid to tackle tough problems head on.”

(Snip)

“If we’re going to win this war and solve the serious challenges we face as a nation, the next president is going to have to break the gridlock and make decisions that move us forward – strong and united. I believe I can be that kind of president.”

Giuliani then goes on to borrow a phrase fromÂ the late President Reagan’sÂ iconic 1974 speech:

“I first ran for mayor of New York because I was confident that with determined leadership New York could be a shining city on a hill again.”

NOTE: This is fixed. As a readerÂ rightly pointed out, I got my references wrong.Â Former Democratic Gov. Mario CuomoÂ used the “city on a hill” phrase to highlight the fact that the nation is actually more like “two cities”Â during his 1984 Democratic National Convention address. Mea culpa.

Giuliani ends by saying he’s going to use the Web site to talk directly to voters. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Also on the site:Â A memo from Brent Seaborn, Giuliani’s strategy director, which recounts the former mayor’s lead in the polls – even among conservative voters – and calls recent efforts “aimed at discrediting the Mayor’s character” unsurprising as well as “cheap and political.”

“We expect polls to tighten as we move in to spring – such is the nature of the political process,” Seaborn writes. “While we are realistic about our expectations going forward, we are also pleased with where we are today and are confident our current support among Republican primary voters is strong.”